Cohesive Silicone Gel Vs Saline Breast Implant for Patient with Lupus?

I'm considering the transaxillary endoscopic Breast Implants using either cohesive silicone gel (gummy bear) or saline implant material.

For a person with potential to have lupus (I tested positive on ANA test 3 years ago and had symptom. At that time, doc said it's not lupus yet, but said I may have lupus potential), which is safer in terms of not causing lupus in potential lupus patient?

I read cohesive silicone gel doesn't migrate far if shell's ruptured, does this make it as safe as saline? How about the outer shell of saline implant, which is still silicone? Thanks!

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by Rita_ in San Francisco

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Silicone Gel transaxillary implants in Lupus

The incidence of capsular contracture is higher in lupus overall using implants. If you really don't have the condition, but a positive ANA and a history of symptoms then I'd move forward with the surgery. If your rheumatologist is telling you that you have the condition and clearly are simply awaiting the next lupic symptom to come up then I'd be much more concerned with capsular contracture, because I believe the incidence is higher in your patient population. Overall, the treatment... more

Lupus and breast implants

There was some concern in the 1990's that silicone breast implants were related to rheumatic disorders including lupus. All of the research that has been done since that time has not shown any link bwteen implants and lupus. So, if you did eventually develop lupus, it would be very unlikely that the implants caused this. In terms of your procedure, keep in mind that it is more challenging to place a silicone implant, and particularly a "gummy bear" implant, through an incision... more

Breast implants for individuals with Lupus

Breast implants may be one of the most studied medical devices of all times and clearly there is no known illness or disease related to or caused by silicone gel breast implants. Those with Lupus or at risk for Lupus or other autoimmune disorders will not suffer any ill effects from a silicone gel breast implant, or a saline implant for that matter. From a peace of mind issue, you may find that you enjoy a saline submuscular breast augmentation through a very small underarm or transaxillary... more

Lupus and Breast Augmentation

There is no correlation or issues with having lupus and breast implants whether saline or silicone. The issue that you need to look at carefully here is having breast augmentation thru the axiallary incision with placement of silicone. This is difficult and may have the silicone shell, specially if you are having any implant of good volume size. Placing saline implants thru the arm pit incision is fine. What I would do would be to think which implant suits your needs better and then... more

Cohesive gel versus saline implants? Transaxillary (armpit approach)

No studies to date have linked auto-immune disease and breast implants. So your concerns of silicone gel migration and lupus are not scientifically supported. That having been said, unless you go with a small implant, placing a true cohesive (form stable) implant via the axilla is an extremely challenging operation and requires a sizable incision.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Lupus and breast augmentation

First, there has been no proven association with breast implants and Lupus. second, it is my understanding that gel implants should not be placed through a transaxillary approach. So you should have saline if going that approach.

Breast Implant questions

There are no good studies linking rheumatologic disorders with implants. Cohesive gel implants are not on the market yet. Placing them through an armpit incision would be extremely difficult.